What are ferrofluids used for?

Ferrofluid is used in rotary seals in computer hard drives and other rotating shaft motors, and in loudspeakers to dampen vibrations. In medicine, ferrofluid is used as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

What is the advantage of using ferrofluids?

A major benefit of ferrofluid is that the liquid can be forced to flow via the positioning and strength of the magnetic field and so the ferrofluid can be positioned very exactly. Ferrofluids also have the capability of reducing friction, making them useful in a variety of electronic and transportation applications.

How are ferrofluids made?

Ferrofluids are made up of tiny magnetic fragments of iron suspended in oil (often kerosene) with a surfactant to prevent… Ferrofluids are made up of tiny magnetic fragments of iron suspended in oil (often kerosene) with a surfactant to prevent clumping (usually oleic acid).

Who developed ferrofluids?

Steve Papell
The first ferrofluid was invented by a NASA engineer named Steve Papell in the early 1960s. His idea was that if you add these magnetic nanoparticles to fuel, you can move it around in zero gravity with a magnetic field.

What is the chemical composition of ferrofluids?

Ferrofluids consist of a colloidal suspension of magnetic nanoparticles, typically magnetite, in a liquid medium such as paraffin oil or water.

How does ferrofluid impact society?

And this makes ferrofluids useful in many industries. Ferrofluids are used as liquid seals to keep dust out of computer hardrives. They can also be used in loudspeakers to help keep them cool. Researchers are even exploring whether ferrofluids can carry medicines to hard-to-reach places inside the body.

What is ferrofluid speaker?

A speaker made by artist Dakd Jung, spotted by Gizmodo, visualizes music with ferrofluid, a liquid filled with tiny magnetic particles. The ferrofluid, a viscous black blob, reacts to an electromagnetic device and dances around in sync with the sounds being played.

What are the properties of ferrofluid?

Properties of a Ferrofluid A ferrofluid is composed of three components: magnetic nano particles, dispersion medium (also called carrier liquid) and a dispersant or surface active agent. The fluid responds to an applied magnetic field as one homogeneous system.

What are ferrofluid elements?

Ferrofluid (noun, “FAIR-oh-flu-id”) The fluid can be water, oil or something else. The particles need to contain iron or another element — such as cobalt or nickel — that act like a magnet. In fact, “ferro-“ is Latin for iron (which has the chemical symbol “Fe”).

Is ferrofluid safe to touch?

Can you touch ferrofluid? You most certainly can but it is not recommended. Ferrofluids are considered a major skin irritant. Once you contact the ferrofluid with your finger, the liquid quickly begins to travel up the ridges of your finger and around your nail.